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Ben Comer
Executive Editor
Ben brings both biopharma expertise and diverse experience. For the past five and a half years, he was a senior manager in PwC’s Health Research Institute. He developed reports on various policy issues and business trends, particularly in the pharma and medtech sectors, provided research for clients and spoke at industry events. Previously, he was a journalist with Pharmaceutical Executive; Medical Marketing & Media, PRWeek and Direct Marketing News; and Ad-Fax Media. During his college days, he taught English in China.
He lives in Orlando, Fla. Outside of work, Ben enjoys playing guitar, welcomes your recommendations for great novels and avidly pursues hiking, biking and other outdoor activities.
Latest From Ben Comer
Carving Out New Spaces In Cancer Immunotherapy
With a combined $335m raised in a crossover series B funding and an IPO last summer, Cambridge, MA-based iTeos Therapeutics has the juice to move its two cancer immunotherapy clinical programs forward.
SPACs Surge In 2020
Despite the COVID-19 chaos felt by many industries in 2020, biopharma IPOs recorded a banner year – including a marked rise in the use of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), also known as blank check companies.
Are SPACs Good Or Bad For Biopharma?
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) homed in on the biopharma industry in 2020, providing biotech companies with a faster and looser route to the public market. Is there a downside?
The Benefit In B Corps
Privately held Chiesi Farmaceutica, a global health care and biopharmaceuticals firm headquartered in Italy, became a certified B Corporation in 2019. The B Corp impact assessment framework helped Chiesi demonstrate its mission of becoming a “double purpose” business, one that executes on business objectives but also works to protect the environment and promote social justice. Will other companies follow suit?
Options, Expertise And Risk Tolerance Needed For Successful Value-Based Contracts
Biohaven Pharmaceuticals developed six different value-based contracting options to support the launch of acute migraine therapy, Nurtec ODT. Despite contract complexity and lingering regulatory risk, payers are aggressively pursuing value-based contracts, leading even small biopharmas to invest in strong health economics capabilities.
Exit Interview: Ken Kaitin On 35 Years At Tufts Center For Study Of Drug Development
At the end of December 2020, Kenneth Kaitin retired as director of the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development after 23 years in the role, and 35 years working with the CSDD. Kenneth Getz, previously professor and deputy director of the CSDD, succeeds Kaitin as director in 2021.